Classic Mustangs (Tech) Technical discussions about the Mustangs of yester-year.

leaf springs need replacing?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-30-2007, 03:14 PM
  #1  
mySAVIOReigns
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
mySAVIOReigns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mansfield, Texas
Posts: 880
Default leaf springs need replacing?

Yesterday, I jacked up my car and after it got up a bit, I put the jackstands under the rear axle, and released the jack. The body started to sag, and kept going, and kept going...It dropped like 10" before it finally came to a rest. I don't know if this is normal, or if the springs are just really sagging a lot. Any ideas? Thanks,
mySAVIOReigns is offline  
Old 07-30-2007, 04:02 PM
  #2  
Soaring
I ♥ Acer
 
Soaring's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 17,565
Default RE: leaf springs need replacing?

It shouldn't come down that far. Do you know if those springs have ever been replaced? When the car is on the ground, you should have right at 26" of clearance from ground to the center of your wheel well.That will also depend on how tall the tires are, and which wheels you are running too. But, here is a pic of mine with 14" wheels. If it is around 24" or so, then you probably need to change out the springs.

[IMG]local://upfiles/10034/C4686332C7314F6199AF81D92FD4441F.jpg[/IMG]
Soaring is offline  
Old 07-30-2007, 04:49 PM
  #3  
mySAVIOReigns
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
mySAVIOReigns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mansfield, Texas
Posts: 880
Default RE: leaf springs need replacing?

See the rear fender on this?
Hahaha, no it's not that bad. But the tire sits about 1.5-2" under the wheel well. I will measure tonight, but I can almost guarentee it's far short of 26".

Thanks Soaring.

Hey when are you coming in town?
mySAVIOReigns is offline  
Old 07-30-2007, 05:06 PM
  #4  
Soaring
I ♥ Acer
 
Soaring's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 17,565
Default RE: leaf springs need replacing?

I have about a 3" space between the top of the tire and the fender well center lip. I have 195/70/R 14 tires and 14X7 rims.
My former band students at DeSoto have a reunion party for me about every 5 years. I guess I'll come to the DFW area next year. How about getting your butt down to the Austin area. It's not too late to sign up for the MOCA show this Saturday.

[IMG]local://upfiles/10034/D01E1833DF27400CAC49D810C618242F.jpg[/IMG]
Soaring is offline  
Old 07-30-2007, 05:18 PM
  #5  
mySAVIOReigns
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
mySAVIOReigns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mansfield, Texas
Posts: 880
Default RE: leaf springs need replacing?

I would, but I'm still doing my brakes - it rained all day when I tried to get them finished. And it's the last week of classes[&:] so I've got to finish welding up some stuff for a project. Oh well, another time.

Man, a 3" space. Jeez...
mySAVIOReigns is offline  
Old 07-30-2007, 05:43 PM
  #6  
Soaring
I ♥ Acer
 
Soaring's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 17,565
Default RE: leaf springs need replacing?

ORIGINAL: mySAVIOReigns

I would, but I'm still doing my brakes - it rained all day when I tried to get them finished. And it's the last week of classes[&:] so I've got to finish welding up some stuff for a project. Oh well, another time.

Man, a 3" space. Jeez...
Yeah, understand that is basically factory specs because I have biggerand wider tires than came from the factory. I don't have a low rider or a restomod. This is how all classic Mustangs should look if they are not restomods. All cars, to include the most recent models have about that same space between the top of the tire and the wheel well lip. It is only the highly modified cars that have the low rider look. They have changed the geometry from factory specifications that engineers designed, these shade tree mechanics think they know more about roadability and handling than the engineers who designed these cars. [/rant]
Soaring is offline  
Old 07-30-2007, 07:38 PM
  #7  
Oxnard Montalvo
4th Gear Member
 
Oxnard Montalvo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 1984
Posts: 1,188
Default RE: leaf springs need replacing?

They have changed the geometry from factory specifications that engineers designed, these shade tree mechanics think they know more about roadability and handling than the engineers who designed these cars. [/rant]
The engineers designed the car as a compromise between handling and stuffing 220lb Auntie Em and 230lb Uncle Joe in the back seat.
If you lower the center of gravity you improve handling. Forget about putting all the band instruments in the trunk.[/rant]
Oxnard Montalvo is offline  
Old 07-30-2007, 10:27 PM
  #8  
NoWhrMn
1st Gear Member
 
NoWhrMn's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 57
Default RE: leaf springs need replacing?

Glen,
Is that measurement (26") for the rear or for both the front and rear?
NoWhrMn is offline  
Old 07-30-2007, 10:35 PM
  #9  
baddog671
6th Gear Member
 
baddog671's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MD/WV
Posts: 5,736
Default RE: leaf springs need replacing?

ORIGINAL: NoWhrMn

Glen,
Is that measurement (26") for the rear or for both the front and rear?
Is the 67's 26" aswell?
baddog671 is offline  
Old 07-31-2007, 11:30 AM
  #10  
boogerschnot
5th Gear Member
 
boogerschnot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,682
Default RE: leaf springs need replacing?

"If you lower the center of gravity you improve handling. Forget about putting all the band instruments in the trunk.[/rant] "

I think that was directed at you Glen... LOL... I got it... Those tuba's dont really fit that well in the trunk of a mustang do they..

Im a band nerd too.. Thats why its funny.. But hell, I can put an entire 6 piece pearl drum set (in hard cases) with hardware,PA, and throne in my sunfire and still have room for a passenger in thefront seat.
boogerschnot is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
5.0muscle
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
5
01-11-2016 01:17 PM
PullTab
S197 Handling Section
1
10-30-2015 08:46 AM
Ryan Fitzpatrick
New Member Area
3
09-14-2015 02:21 AM
Pyrate Dave
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
8
09-10-2015 07:30 PM
tj@steeda
Steeda Autosports
0
09-01-2015 08:16 PM



Quick Reply: leaf springs need replacing?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:28 PM.